mmg.com.au

Rodwells Shepparton auctioneer Shelby Howard beat the cream of young Victorian auctioneers to take out the prestigious Graeme KD Lanyon Perpetual Trophy at Royal Melbourne Show on Sunday.

Mr Howard, 22, won $1000 cash and prizes from various sponsors and will now shoot for the national title and a chance to represent Australian auctioneers at the Calgary Stampede International Auctioneers Competition next year.

Rodwells boss Tony Pianto said on Monday Mr Howard was self-taught and deserved full credit for his achievement.

‘‘It was a good job well done,’’ Mr Pianto said.

Mr Howard, whose runner-up was Hayden Rogers from Landmark Wangaratta, was modest in victory and admitted he was ‘‘very pleased’’ with the win and excited about the opportunity to represent Victoria at the 2013 ALPA Young Auctioneers Competition National Final at the 2013 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

He said it had helped to have had a shot at the title the previous year: ‘‘I stuck to my own plan of what I wanted to do.’’

Mr Howard had three beasts to auction: a Murray Grey consigned by the Nelson family at Katandra, a Belgian Blue-Shorthorn Cross from Nathalia and a Red Poll from Gippsland.

‘‘You talk about the qualities the buyers are looking for and nominate the good things,’’ Mr Howard said, and thanked the Rodwells Shepparton team for their support.

Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association chief executive Andy Madigan said the ALPA Young Auctioneers Competition continued to gather the most dedicated group of young professionals and a supportive crowd.

The competition is judged on the competitors’ diction, values, voice and manner and they must establish their own presence and unique style to make a memorable performance.